Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

[drewonline]

I found a 1996 four winns 190 Horizon dlx in good shape other than the fact that it was not winterized and sat for 3 Maine winters. I know - not good.

I have so far found that 3 of the six freeze plugs I found were popped out and am hoping that maybe that saved the block. If anyone else has gone through this and can tell me where to look for damage or how to do it, that could save me a lot of head scratching and surprise! you just wasted a lot of time on something that needs to be replaced. Thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Since you won't really know the condition unless you buy it and tear it apart, the only thing you can do is consider the motor trash and base the price on it not being usable.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

The outdrive too! With a LOT of luck it Might be salvageable but... Would not count on it.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

You might want to do a compression test on it.

Drain the drive fluid and replace..

Run it on the trailer with muffs.

Without scoping the thing .. dunno..

You might ask oops to move this to some engine forum.

YD.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

You also have to wonder if the original owner didn't bother to winterize it what other abuse has the boat seen....like not being covered and maintained.....could have waterlogged foam,rotten stringers and transom.....

 

[drewonline]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Thanks for the input - yeah I already bought this boat, should have mentioned. And yes I paid les than the fantastic trailer is worth. $5oo. bucks. I am just looking for some ideas on where to look. today I looked all around the darn thing and found 4 breakers and a fuse panel. Not one tripped or blown from what I can see. Turns over but seems to be no fuel pump running and no spark.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Drew hows the deck? Any soft spots? Look around the ski locker and seat bases.... IMO Four Winns didn't do a great job with the glass work below deck and are prone to rot.....just read my thread and you will see what I mean....I would hate to see you dump a bunch of cash into an engine only to find you need to redo everything below.


BTW here is a link for the owners manual for the boat and electrical schematics
http://www.fourwinns.com/past_produ...year//1996/Sport/Manual (Complete) - 27MB.pdf

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

motor will be junk. no such thing as freeze plugs. those are core plugs used to get the core sand out of the casting ports during the manufacturing process. if those plugs are pushed out, the casting is junk.
that will go for the head and exhaust manifold as well. hopefully there was no water in the drive so you can salvage that.

your fuel system will be gunked up. life expectancy of fuel without stabil is 6 months for straight gas, 30 days for E10. add a few months to that if there was stabil.

if there was water in the hull, look for issues of rot, wet foam, etc.

 

[drewonline]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Deck seems fine all completely glassed in from what I can see. This is starting to sound hopeless. a little more digging hopefully will tell me. Probably junk. It just looks like it has so much potential. Way newer than any of the other boats iv'e had, i'm starting to understand why so many people say they like the old ones.

 

[Struc]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Unlikely the engine got by without being cracked. The heads are just as likely to be cracked too.

What engine is in it? If it's a 4.3l or 5.0l or 5.7l, it may just be a matter of finding a good used truck shortblock ($200-$400), replacing the core plugs with brass ones, and throwing the motor back together with all the marine parts. I would, however, go have the heads checked out as well, to be sure they didn't crack - or use the ones from the used engine.

Here is my 4.3l truck engine build: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=520824

 

[ricohman]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

I agree about the above statement regarding "freeze plugs". I don't know why they have been reffered to as freeze plugs but they serve the purpose mentioned above.
And if you find them pushed out, its just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

Was there water in the oil? Can you see any visible cracks? Dont write it off until you know. I have bought both automobiles and boats and lucked out and not had a crack. I have also had them busted to pieces. You already own it so roll the dice. Just dont spend load untill you are certain.

 

[jkust]

Re: Four Winns was not winterized - what can I expect

I forsee a Craigslist ad in your future stating the boat ran great last time it was run.